Senators of the Republic,

I have rested and regained my composure but it is true that I will not forget the death of such a Hero of Rome, one whom I looked up to and admired as a personal Hero for many years.

However, I agree that the remaining Co-Consul shall take full Consulship as of now and for the remainder of his term. I believe his used of the term “Dictator” is somewhat misguided.

Has anyone considered withdrawal? If the Consul AND notable members of the Senate believe we are overstretched what shame is there then in withdrawing to a point more defensible?

It is, perhaps, the last of all options but one I firmly believe we should allow the Consul to do should he feel it is required.

Please Senators let the Consul hear your voice on this matter, he must know that even such a distasteful act as withdrawing is still acceptable in a dire situation as this.

Currently it is good that we have a Consular army awaiting deployment and I agree that it should stay in Italia until we know more of the Carthenaginian intent as well as the Selucids. However, I strongly feel that WHATEVER the cost we will have to raise two more Legions to support the Eastern Front even if we do withdraw from the current predicament.

If we can, it would be prudent to re-enforce Byzantion if possible, it is a defensible city with high walls and potentially can withstand an assault by an enemy more than twice the defenders numbers, however, I am unaware of what infrastructure is in place there. It would be essential at this time though to hire as many mercenaries as is possible before the Selucids arrive.

I would dearly love to review the tactical situation to the South in more detail also, what is happening in Melite now? How fairs the Legion in Sicily, are they ready for Carthage?